Why will the nurse draw a blood culture before giving an antipyretic medication?

The antipyretic medication will inhibit bacterial growth within the culture tubes.

Venous distension is greater because of fluid retention from hyperthermia.

Elevated temperatures slow metabolic rate and improve blood oxygenation.

The causative organism is most prevalent during a spike in temperature.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. The antipyretic medication will not inhibit bacterial growth within the culture tubes. Antipyretics are medications that reduce fever by affecting the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. They do not have any antibacterial effect.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Venous distension is not greater because of fluid retention from hyperthermia. Venous distension is the swelling of the veins due to increased pressure or volume of blood. Hyperthermia is the condition of having a body temperature above the normal range. It can cause dehydration, not fluid retention.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Elevated temperatures do not slow metabolic rate and improve blood oxygenation. Elevated temperatures increase metabolic rate and demand more oxygen. This can lead to tissue hypoxia, acidosis, and organ damage.

Choice D reason: This is correct. The causative organism is most prevalent during a spike in temperature. A spike in temperature is a sudden rise in body temperature that indicates an infection. Drawing a blood culture before giving an antipyretic medication can help identify the type and number of bacteria in the blood. This can guide the appropriate antibiotic therapy and monitor the response to treatment.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient’s core temperature has not dropped too low. The normal body temperature range is 97.7°F to 99.5°F¹. The patient’s temperature is still within this range, although it has decreased from a feverish level.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because vasodilation is the process of widening the blood vessels to increase blood flow and heat loss². This is a natural response of the body to lower the temperature when it is too high. Vasodilation can cause the skin to appear flushed and feel warm to the touch³.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient is not exhausted from shivering. Shivering is another mechanism of the body to increase the temperature when it is too low². Shivering involves involuntary muscle contractions that generate heat³. The patient’s temperature is not too low, so shivering is not likely to occur.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the patient’s infection has not spread to the bloodstream. A bloodstream infection, or sepsis, is a serious condition that can cause a high fever, not a low one. Sepsis can also cause other symptoms, such as chills, rapid breathing, and confusion. The patient’s temperature has dropped, not increased, and there is no evidence of sepsis.

A. Document the finding in the patient’s medical record. B. Assess the brachial pulse for a pulse deficit. C. Notify the health care provider immediately. D. Count the patient’s apical pulse for one full minute.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Documenting the finding in the patient’s medical record is an important step, but not the most appropriate first action of the nurse. The nurse should first confirm the irregularity by counting the apical pulse.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Assessing the brachial pulse for a pulse deficit is a useful technique, but not the most appropriate first action of the nurse. A pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates. The nurse should first count the apical pulse before comparing it with the radial pulse.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Notifying the health care provider immediately is a necessary step, but not the most appropriate first action of the nurse. The nurse should first gather more information by counting the apical pulse and determining the type and severity of the irregularity.

Choice D reason: This is correct. Counting the patient’s apical pulse for one full minute is the most appropriate first action of the nurse. The apical pulse is the most accurate way to measure the heart rate and rhythm. The nurse should listen to the heart sounds at the apex of the heart, which is located at the fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line. The nurse should count the number of beats and note any irregularities, such as skipped, extra, or uneven beats..

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Why will the nurse draw a blood culture before giving an antipyretic medication?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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